Automatic Vehicle Identification Technology Applications to Toll Collection Services

Abstract

Intelligent transportation systems technologies are being developed and applied through transportation systems in the United States. An example of this type of innovation can be seen on toll roads where a driver is required to deposit a toll in order to drive on a toll road. To automatically process toll services, automatic vehicle identification (AVI) technologies should be developed and implemented. A summary is presented of a study that focused on the performance analysis of three types of AVI technologies that could be used for toll collection applications on the Crosstown Expressway and the Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County, Florida. The three AVI technology types were optical/laser scanner, radio frequency, and inductive loop. The study aimed at analyzing the total average delay and AVI market share due to the usage of AVI technologies. Delay performance and market share resulting from the application of each AVI technology type were used to compare the effects of different AVI technology types. The analysis was based on computer simulation using an AVI lane choice model (demand model) and a delay model (performance model) with the data collected from the two toll roads in Hillsborough County. From the simulation results, a cost-benefit analysis was performed to evaluate the impacts of AVI technologies on the ratio of benefit over cost. Results of the cost-benefit analysis can be used to determine the optimal configuration of AVI lanes and manual lanes. A procedure is provided that can be used for planning and designing AVI technologies used in toll service.